US3696720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for photographing oscilloscope traces with conventional camera
Assignee: Integrated Controls Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-11
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A hood structure incorporating a close-up lens and a specific light source whose intensity may be varied serves to support a conventional camera in front of an oscilloscope screen for photographing an oscilloscope trace. The hood blocks ambient light from the camera and the specific light source in the hood controls the exposure of the camera such as the shutter speed and/or the f-stop opening by causing this light source to shine on the photocell and by varying its intensity. Since the invention permits the use of a conventional camera, the entire apparatus is extremely economical for photographing oscilloscope traces.
Inventors
- 👤 Billy H Vinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/20; G01R13/204; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of photographing an oscilloscope trace with a camera in which the exposure is controlled by a photo-electric cell, comprising the steps of: a. supporting the camera at a given distance in front of the oscilloscope screen; b. blocking all ambient light from reaching the lens of said camera so that only light from said trace reaches said lens; c. providing a specific light source juxtaposed to said photocell and blocking all other light from said photocell so that said photocell receives only light from said source; and d. adjusting the intensity of said light source to thereby control the exposure of said camera to provide a properly exposed picture of the oscilloscope trace.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of photographing an oscilloscope trace with a camera in which the exposure is controlled by a photo-electric cell, comprising the steps of: a. supporting the camera at a given distance in front of the oscilloscope screen; b. blocking all ambient light from reaching the lens of said camera so that only light from said trace reaches said lens; c. providing a specific light source juxtaposed to said photocell and blocking all other light from said photocell so that said photocell receives only light from said source; and d. adjusting the intensity of said light source to thereby control the exposure of said camera to provide a properly exposed picture of the oscilloscope trace.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of positioning a close-up lens between said camera and oscilloscope screen to provide an image ratio of 1:1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, in which said light source is energized by connecting it to the flash bulb terminals of said camera to thereby utilize the flash bulb battery in said camera.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for photographing an oscilloscope trace with a camera in which the camera exposure is controlled by a photo-electric cell mounted on said camera, comprising, in combination: a. a hood for supporting the camera at a given distance from the screen of said oscilloscope and simultaneously blocking all ambient light from reaching the lens of said camera when mounted on said hood and said hood is positioned over said screen so that only light from said trace reaches said lens; b. a specific light source on said hood positioned to be juxtaposed to said photoelectric cell of said camera when said camera is mounted on said hood such that said photo-electric cell receives only light from said source and is blocked from receiving light from any other source; and, c. means on said hood for adjusting the intensity of said light source whereby the exposure of said camera may be controlled independently of the brightness of said trace to be photographed by varying the intensity of said light source to thereby provide proper exposure of the oscilloscope trace.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
179 words
An apparatus for photographing an oscilloscope trace with a camera in which the camera exposure is controlled by a photo-electric cell mounted on said camera, comprising, in combination: a. a hood for supporting the camera at a given distance from the screen of said oscilloscope and simultaneously blocking all ambient light from reaching the lens of said camera when mounted on said hood and said hood is positioned over said screen so that only light from said trace reaches said lens; b. a specific light source on said hood positioned to be juxtaposed to said photoelectric cell of said camera when said camera is mounted on said hood such that said photo-electric cell receives only light from said source and is blocked from receiving light from any other source; and, c. means on said hood for adjusting the intensity of said light source whereby the exposure of said camera may be controlled independently of the brightness of said trace to be photographed by varying the intensity of said light source to thereby provide proper exposure of the oscilloscope trace.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, including a close-up lens mounted in said hood between the oscilloscope screen and camera lens when said camera is mounted on said hood to provide substantially a 1:1 image ratio.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, in which said means for adjusting the intensity of said light source comprises a variable resistance connected in series with said light source, said resistance and light source connecting to a connector means on said hood adapted to connect to the flash bulb terminals in said camera so that the flash bulb battery in said camera serves as a source of energy for said light source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2842025A
Cited
US3259008A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |